Internet overuse refers to excessive time spent online at the expense of other things.

Internet overuse and addiction

As part of modern day life, a significant amount of time is spent online. This involves both study and work related activities and also social and entertainment spheres. Internet overuse refers to excessive time spent online at the expense of other things. This could mean becoming too involved in internet activities such as gaming or chat rooms at the expense of socialising or studying.

This may be one step toward Internet addiction, a disorder commonly linked to depression, social anxiety and financial problems, according to the Centre for Net Addiction, a web site that studies internet dependency and addiction. You can take an internet addiction test to find out if you are overusing or even addicted to the internet.

The symptoms of internet addiction include:

Increasing amounts of time spent online

When offline obsessing about online activity

Unsuccessful effort to control, cutback or stop internet use

Mood swings including feeling restless, irritable , anxious or depressed when offline or attempting to cut down internet usage

Use of the Internet as a way to escape from problems, or day to day responsibilities

Significantly affecting or putting at risk relationships, studies and work because of Internet use.

For more information about internet addiction you can read personal stories and articles at the Centre for Internet Addiction Recovery. If you think you are addicted to the internet, it may be useful to seek professional help. You can contact us and make an appointment to see a counsellor.